Rudest U.S. airlines

By By AUBREY COHEN

on December 14, 2012 12:58 PM

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Most people view flying these days as a hassle, which airline employees after often seen as exacerbating. But which U.S. airline has the rudest staffers? The travel site Airfarewatchdog recently asked. Here's what their unscientific poll found, counting down to the rudest from the four airlines that tied for least rude, with just 2 percent of the rude vote.

1 (tie). Alaska Airlines, 2 percent. Seattle-based Alaska is the smallest of the big traditional carriers, and a bunch of its flight attendants marched in the Seafair Torchlight Parade on July 28. less

Most people view flying these days as a hassle, which airline employees after often seen as exacerbating. But which U.S. airline has the rudest staffers? The travel site Airfarewatchdog recently asked. Here's ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Most people view flying these days as a hassle, which airline... Photo-3253679.53914 - Connecticut Post

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9 (tie). Frontier Airlines, 2 percent. Republic Airways Holdings bought the low-cost carrier in 2009 and merged it with Midwest Airlines. The new airline kept the Frontier name and "spokesanimals." It initially continued Midwest's tradition of handing out free warm cookies, but killed that perk in April. Nonetheless, it remains tied for least rude. less

9 (tie). Frontier Airlines, 2 percent. Republic Airways Holdings bought the low-cost carrier in 2009 and merged it with Midwest Airlines. The new airline kept the Frontier name and "spokesanimals." It initially ... more

5. Spirit Airlines, 10 percent. Spirit is the opposite of Southwest when it comes to bags. Not only does it charge for checked bags, but the fee is even higher for a carry-on. At least that helps keep the cabin less crammed. less

5. Spirit Airlines, 10 percent. Spirit is the opposite of Southwest when it comes to bags. Not only does it charge for checked bags, but the fee is even higher for a carry-on. At least that helps keep the cabin ... more

4. US Airways, 12 percent. You'd think Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger (left) and co-pilot Jeffrey Skiles bought US Airways some goodwill when they landed a disabled jet on the Hudson River on Jan. 15, 2009. Sullenberger checked the cabin twice to make sure everyone was evacuated before grabbing the logbook and getting out himself. less

4. US Airways, 12 percent. You'd think Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger (left) and co-pilot Jeffrey Skiles bought US Airways some goodwill when they landed a disabled jet on the Hudson River on Jan. 15, ... more

3. Delta Air Lines, 18 percent. We're big fans of "Deltalina." But special mention also goes to Ellen Simonetti, a Delta flight attendant who blogged about her work, without mentioning Delta by name. Nonetheless, Delta fired her in 2004, after she posted pictures such as this one on her blog. Simonetti went on to write a book and says she's working on a screenplay based on the book.. less

3. Delta Air Lines, 18 percent. We're big fans of "Deltalina." But special mention also goes to Ellen Simonetti, a Delta flight attendant who blogged about her work, without mentioning Delta by name. ... more

2. United, 21 percent. United, which started out as part of Boeing, was voted second-rudest airline despite the efforts of flight attendant Ron Akana, who retired in August after a 63-year career.

2. United, 21 percent. United, which started out as part of Boeing, was voted second-rudest airline despite the efforts of flight attendant Ron Akana, who retired in August after a 63-year career.

Photo: JAMIE SCHWABEROW

2. United, 21 percent. United, which started out as part of Boeing,... Photo-2669001.53914 - Connecticut Post

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1. American Airlines, 25 percent. In 2002, humor writer Dave Barry devoted an entire column to the horrors of flying what he referred to as "Nacirema Airlines." On March 9, as an American Airlines flight was about to take off from Dallas/Forth Worth International Airport, a flight attendant got on the public-address system and burst into a rant about the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the plane crashing, the galley being in need of ice and her bipolar disorder. This passenger a cell phone photo shows the scene, which ended with passengers and crew members subduing the flight attendant, who was escorted off the airplane. Technically, that's crazy, not rude. less